Last Words (Anne Brontë)

A dreadful darkness closes in               On my bewildered mind; O let me suffer and not sin, Be tortured yet resigned.

Through all this world of whelming mist Still let me look to Thee, And give me courage to resist The Tempter till he flee.

Weary I am -- O give me strength And leave me not to faint; Say Thou wilt comfort me at length And pity my complaint.

I've begged to serve Thee heart and soul, To sacrifice to Thee No niggard portion, but the whole Of my identity.

I hoped amid the brave and strong My portioned task might lie, To toil amid the labouring throng With purpose pure and high.

But Thou hast fixed another part, And Thou hast fixed it well; I said so with my breaking heart When first the anguish fell.

For Thou hast taken my delight And hope of life away, And bid me watch the painful night And wait the weary day.

The hope and the delight were Thine; I bless Thee for their loan; I gave Thee while I deemed them mine Too little thanks, I own.

Shall I with joy Thy blessings share And not endure their loss? Or hope the martyr's crown to wear And cast away the cross?

These weary hours will not be lost, These days of passive misery, These nights of darkness anguish tost If I can fix my heart on Thee.

Weak and weary though I lie, Crushed with sorrow, worn with pain, Still I may lift to Heaven mine eyes And strive and labour not in vain,

That inward strife against the sins That ever wait on suffering; To watch and strike where first begins Each ill that would corruption bring,

That secret labour to sustain With humble patience every blow, To gather fortitude from pain And hope and holiness from woe.

Thus let me serve Thee from my heart Whatever be my written fate, Whether thus early to depart Or yet awhile to wait.

If Thou shouldst bring me back to life More humbled I should be; More wise, more strengthened for the strife, More apt to lean on Thee.

Should Death be standing at the gate Thus should I keep my vow; But, Lord, whate'er my future fate So let me serve Thee now.